KARONGA, Malawi — The youths of Mwenenguwo village, under the initiative for development in Karonga district, have embarked on a remarkable journey to raise K60 million for the rehabilitation of the Kasano clinic, writes Tawonga Chisale.

The 15-day fundraising campaign will see participants ride bicycles from the district to Lilongwe, kicking off on October 1st and concluding on October 15th.

"For more than 10 years, people of Mwenenguwo village under Traditional Authority Kyungu have struggled to access medical services due to distance and a lack of resources to rehabilitate Kasano Clinic, which is nearer to them. Our aim is to expand the clinic so that it can cater to everyone because we are covering a very long distance to go to Mpata Health Centre or Karonga District Hospital. Sometimes, we even lose the lives of our relatives due to the distance and congestion at these healthcare facilities,” said Arnold Kawonga, Chairperson of the Mwenenguwo Youth Initiative for Development.

Recognising the urgent need to address this healthcare disparity, the Mwenenguwo Youth Initiative for Development devised the fundraising journey to Lilongwe.

The objective is to commence the rehabilitation of Kasano Clinic this year and expand its capacity. Currently, the clinic only provides services for under-five children and antenatal care.

"This initiative impressed me and created curiosity among my fellow leaders. Developmental issues like this one are in the hands of youths, and it is good to act on them rather than just depending on other people to do them on their behalf. When youths get involved in the development arenas of the communities, it removes the dependency syndrome and imparts a hardworking spirit,” said Smith Mwangomba Katuya, Representative of Group Village Head Mwenenguwo.

David Sibale, the Director of Health and Social Services, praised the initiative, emphasising the community's commitment to participating in the district's development.

He encouraged the youth to continue their efforts and seek support from other stakeholders, as the project's success would improve service delivery and healthcare access for the entire community.

"The community members have reached this point because they are really interested in having the clinic. I encourage them to go ahead with the decision, and they should also consult other stakeholders for support,” said David Sibale, Director of Health and Social Services.

The youth's dedication to this endeavour reflects their determination to address healthcare disparities and contribute to the betterment of their community. 🌟🚴‍♀️ #KarongaYouthInitiative #HealthcareDevelopment 💉

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